A Polish Catholic priest has been arrested after he confessed to producing crystal meth in his Austria parish’s rectory.
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According to the Catholic News Agency, the priest was arrested alongside a 30-year-old Iraqi citizen from Vienna. The priest is originally from Poland and has been serving in the Austrian Diocese of St. Pölten since 2021.
Law enforcement officials revealed that State Criminal Police Office investigators searched the church’s rectory. They seized chemicals for producing crystal meth and laboratory equipment. The authorities pointed out that they suspect the drugs were intended for sale.
The Diocese of St. Pölten also responded to the crystal meth allegations by suspending the Catholic priest. The organization stated the priest is now prohibited from carrying out any pastoral activities within the diocese. Due to the priest being part of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, the Catholic Church’s leadership in Poland is now involved.
A spokesman for the Warsaw Archdiocese further told Austrian broadcaster ORF, “The diocesan authorities will soon take the necessary legal and canonical measures, in coordination with the diocese in Austria.”
The identity of the Catholic priest involved in the crystal meth investigation has not been revealed.
Catholic Priest Crystal Meth Bust Comes Months After Connecticut Methodist Pastor Drug Operation
The drug incident in Austria comes just months after a Connecticut Methodist pastor was arrested for a similar incident involving crystal meth production.
Herbert Miller, the former reverend of Woodbury United Methodist Church, was arrested after he was busted at the site of a purported drug deal set up by a cooperating witness. The witness had alerted local authorities of Miller’s drug dealings.
After Miller was pulled over by state troopers, authorities discovered he had crystal methamphetamine in both rock form and liquid form. Some of the liquid form was in a hypodermic needle ready for injection.
It was further revealed that Miller was allegedly selling meth in exchange for watching gay couples engage in sexual activity. However, there is yet to be any word about how long the pastor had been dealing with crystal meth.
The New York Annual Conference, a regional unit of the United Methodist Church in Connecticut, released a statement following Miller’s arrest. The organization confirmed that he was fired from his position.
“The news of the unfortunate circumstance surrounding former pastor, Herbert I. Miller was met with reflection, shock, and deep sadness,” the conference stated. “The disease of addiction is a problem that affects so many people, families, and communities. It is often a traumatic, difficult, and deeply personal journey.”
“To protect the privacy of all concerned and allow a fair and just judicial process to run its course, we cannot out of respect for those who may be harmed and in the interest of doing what’s right, speak to the specifics and circumstances surrounding the allegations.”
Miller was released on $10,000 bail and was ordered to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Feb. 23. He failed to appear for his arraignment.